“Toss me my pattern square,” dad said while cutting out laying boxes in the chicken coop. “What’s wrong with the one in your hand?” I countered. Never losing stride as he fitted the current square into its rightful place. “Oh, Sis, you must never do that. You see, when cutting identical pieces of boards, you must always use only one board as the pattern.” Using the board, you just cut as the pattern; the length will grow by a small […]
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Before entering the vet clinic, I called them to confirm they wanted me actually to bring the gals inside- that is, Penny, the Golden Retriever, and Lola, the German Shepherd. Each visit until now had been quick and painless in the back of the big rig. But now they are one year old, and things are a bit different- territorial, to say the least. With Eva and Charlotte sitting in the backseat, unsure what to expect, I already envisioned what […]
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“Well, my seven-month-old was caught gnawing on a super glue tube today…how did your day fair?” I responded to my sister with, “We retrieved several items out of the toilet, but we did manage to get the mouthwash and dog poop cleaned up without any permanent damage to either one of the girls.” CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE Since 1989, “Good night, sweet dreams, I love you, I will see you in the morning,” was our bedtime whisper. I remember one […]
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The week of my wedding had arrived. Dad asked me if I had time to take a motorcycle ride with him. Frazzled and unsure about everything, I couldn’t think of anything I would like more than to disappear down a back road. I didn’t have a clue about marriage; My father knew it, yet he never uttered a word. He knew time would teach me all I needed to know. We wound through the curves of the road, just enjoying […]
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I grew up in a home that believed in discipline. Now, I want to be absolutely clear, many people today believe in “time out,” but Jim and Pam Stockdale believed in spankings. The real kind where you could hear the belt coming out of the belt loops as daddy got ready to administer discipline, swift and sure, or the willow tree limb snapping as mom broke off a piece just right for the ankles. Oh, sure, there were times I […]
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“Sis, do you know why I chose this long line to stand in when I only had two items to checkout with?” My dad questioned me. I certainly did not. Nor did I even notice the wait. I was with my dad and enjoying the outing without a care in the world. He took that opportunity to tell me a story about himself when he was younger. My folks were recently married and traveling the United States as evangelists, preaching […]
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Anger flooded my eyes and my thoughts. My mother was mean! She was harsh and I didn’t understand why?! All the other girls were painting their nails in mature colors and wearing eye makeup. Their moms let them wear all the new styles. I couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t budge! I would show her. When I grew up and got out on my own, I would wear what I wanted- anything I wanted! Not long ago, I was on the […]
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It takes a special heart and lots of patience to be a school teacher. As the new school year begins, I wanted to reach out to all those who take their place at the front of class each day and prepare the hearts and minds of our little ones. Please join me in welcoming a fellow blogger and friend Kristine Brown as she tells her story- one you will NOT want to miss! I’d had it. Just a few weeks […]
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Me: (on the way to preschool) Lord, I pray for Eva this morning. Please help her to be kind to her friends and help her to share today. I pray these things in Jesus’ name- Amen Eva: (glaring) MINE! Me: This is going well. My dad purchased his first three horses in 1988: Twister, Buck, and Mr. Ed. He broke all three to sell but ended up keeping Mr. Ed. The name alone should explain why. Brittney and I used […]
Continue ReadingSome old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat. Laura Ingalls Wilder Eating white beans and cornbread, Allison opened the homemade can of pepper sauce and removed the peppers from inside, and took a bite. I just sat there with white beans dripping off my spoon. “Allison, those are for flavor, not for eating!” Oh, don’t be silly; these are the ones with the most flavor and crunch.” She responded. Standing in Allison Day’s kitchen, she opened […]
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